Boys Championship Previews
Division 1 boys
No. 2 Sci-Tech (18-4) vs. No. 4 Central (16-6), 7:30
Head to head: Sci-Tech won 75-61 on Feb. 3; Central won 61-56 on Feb. 18
How they got here: Sci-Tech beat No. 7 Commerce (64-59) and No. 3 East Longmeadow (68-62); Central beat No. 5 Minnechaug (72-49) and No. 1 Northampton (64-57)
Projected starters: Cybercats: Jahsohn Ward (Sr., guard), Chris Malone (Jr., guard), Tyron Wiggins (Jr., guard), Theo Robinson (Jr., forward), Shawn McCleary (Sr., forward); Golden Eagles: Jared Johnson (Soph., guard), Jordan Smith (Jr., guard), Chris Bonsu (Sr., guard), Jarel Njiiri (Sr., forward), Victor Aytche (Soph., forward)
Championship history: The Golden Eagles won five Division 1 titles from 1987-1992. They last reached the final in 2007, losing to Holyoke. The Cybercats are in its first ever championship game.
Comments: Each team’s statistics from the semifinal round are mind boggling. Sci-Tech scored 26 points in the paint, including 12 fast-break points. The Cybercats also made 10 3-pointers, including eight by Ward. Central scored 38 points in the paint. Both teams are athletic and fast. Malone is a two-time outdoor 100-meter dash champion. Neither team is deep, each playing about three reserves. Sci-Tech had the top-ranked offense (66.4 points per game) in Division 1 and fifth-ranked defense (55.1). Central is fourth (63.1) and fourth (54.6) respectively.
Division 2 boys
No. 1 Hoosac Valley (19-3) vs. No. 3 Drury (17-5), 4
Head to head: Hoosac won 47-43 on Jan. 23 and 67-60 on Feb. 13
How they got here: Hoosac beat No. 8 Mahar (52-49) and No. 4 Palmer (52-31); Drury beat No. 6 Wahconah (65-38) and No. 7 Mohawk (62-58)
Projected starters: Hurricanes: Nick Aitken (Soph., guard), Dalton Martinelli (Soph., guard), Dalton Larabee (Sr., guard), Brennan Polidoro (Sr., forward), Ribbie Burke (Jr., forward); Blue Devils: Mike Bullett (Sr., guard), Justin Racette (Jr., guard), Anthony Sims (Jr., guard), Nik Andrews (Jr., forward), Josh Racette (Sr., forward)
Championship history: Hoosac beat Wahconah in 2003 for its lone title. The Hurricanes were runners-up in 2000 and 1998. Drury has won six titles, most recently in 1990. The Blue Devils were runners-up in 1995, 1989, 1979 and 1976.
Comments: The Pioneer Valley will finally be treated to one of the craziest rivalries in western Massachusetts. For the first time ever these two fierce neighbors, Hoosac is in Cheshier while Drury in North Adams, will play in the title game. Hoosac has the size. Drury has the guard play. Hoosac finished with the third-ranked defense (48.9 points per game) and seventh-ranked offense (59.2) in Division 2. Drury had the third-ranked offense (63.8) and seventh-ranked defense (54.2).
Division 3 boys
No. 2 New Leadership (20-2) vs. No. 1 Sabis (21-1), 12:30
Head to head: Sabis won 82-61 on Dec. 30 and 71-66 on Jan. 30
How they got here: Sabis beat No. 8 St. Joseph’s (49-31) and No. 4 Frontier Regional (76-41); New Leadership beat No. 6 Easthampton (70-56) and No. 3 Turners Falls (75-70)
Projected starters: Bulldogs: Keith Henry (Sr., guard), Ryan Grant (Sr., guard), Andre King (Jr., guard), Kamali Bey (Fr., guard), Anthony Click (Sr., forward); Wildcats: Charles Jackson (Sr., guard), Phil Warrick (Soph., guard), Tyrell Springer (Fr., guard), Eric Brown (Soph., forward), Devante Vanderpool (Jr., center)
Championship history: The Bulldogs are in the final for the fifth straight year with titles in 2006 and 2007. Their trip in 2005 was their first. The Wildcats reached two finals, winning in 2004 and losing to Sabis in 2006.
Comments: It’s fitting that the two best teams in Division 3 all year long get to play for the title. Sabis’s lone loss came to Watertown in the HoopHall Classic. The Bulldogs have won 11 straight. New Leadership’s only losses were to Sabis. The Wildcats have won eight straight. Both teams will apply pressure defense. Both teams will cause turnovers. Both teams will attack the basket. Sabis has the edge in postseason history as well as head-to-head history. Sabis has beaten New Leadership 12 straight times since 2005.








